3D Equilibrium
Use the Interactive Figure to Determine the Reactions at A for the 3D Body
Use the spreadsheet in the Interactive Figure to select and change the following variables for the 3D hanging sign: the sign’s weight W and the locations (x, y, z) of points C and D in the y-z plane.
Observe how changes in these variables change the components of the support reactions, Az and Ax at A required to keep the sign in equilibrium, and the tension, TBC and TBD, in cables BC and BD.
Set the coordinates of points C and D to (0,3,3) and (0,-3,3), respectively.
Use this information to answer the following questions.
What happens to the magnitude of TBC as point C is moved in the +y direction?
What happens to the components of TBC as point C is moved in the +y direction?
What happens to the magnitude of TBC as point C is moved in the +z direction?
What happens to the components of TBC as point C is moved in the +z direction?
What happens to the magnitudes of TBC and TBD as the magnitude of W increases?
If the magnitude of W is doubled, what happens to the magnitudes of TBC and TBD?
3D Equilibrium Equations
Set the coordinates of points C and D to (0,3,3) and (0,-4,4), respectively. Set the weight of the sign to 2.
Use this information to answer the following questions.
What is the correct expression for the equilibrium equation along the x-axis for the sign?
What is the correct expression for the equilibrium equation along the y-axis for the sign?
What is the correct expression for the equilibrium equation along the z-axis for the sign?